Wine Confidence Starts Here.
Bewildered, Frustrated, and Stuck
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Are you confused about why wine people use words like 'austere' and 'flabby' when all you taste is... wine? -
Have you ever felt so inexperienced in wine shops that you randomly select bottles based on what animals are on the labels because you don't know what else to look for (and then pay and run out)? -
Are you tired of being the one who stares blankly at wine lists while your friends are waiting on you to pick the right bottle? -
Do you feel overwhelmed with wine because there’s just so much to know? -
Do you suffer from 'Nod-and-Smile Syndrome' when friends discuss wine, pretending to understand while secretly wishing you could contribute something intelligent to the conversation? -
Have you ever felt excluded from wine conversations because you didn't attend some fancy sommelier school or grow up with a wine cellar in your house? -
Are you frustrated that many wine instructors expect you to already know the difference between Bordeaux and Burgundy before you've even started learning? -
Do you struggle with finding a wine educator who doesn't bore you to tears with endless geography lessons and technical jargon that makes you want to chug the wine instead of appreciating it?
It's time for your wine glow-up
You chat with the sommelier or store clerk feeling like you’re speaking their language. When the wine list lands in your hands at dinner, you scan the options with confidence, ask a smart question or two, and pick a bottle that makes everyone at the table cheers to your selection.
You feel more at ease with wine, enjoying every glass, every conversation, and every new discovery with genuine curiosity. You find yourself explaining to a friend why a wine tastes “bright” or “lush,” and you see their eyes light up in recognition. Suddenly, you’re the one helping others navigate the world of wine, and it feels completely natural.
All it takes is one hour—not months of memorizing maps or mastering jargon. Just real understanding, real confidence, and a whole lot more fun with every bottle you open.
WELCOME TO
Vino Vocab
Led by top wine educator Sarah Looper, this class breaks down the essentials of wine in a fun, approachable way, giving you the tools and confidence to understand, talk about, and truly enjoy every glass.
Whether you’re a total beginner or someone who’s always felt a little lost in wine shops and conversations, Vino Vocab will help you finally feel at home in the world of wine—all in just one hour.
Discover The Acidity Experience
The Tannin Revelation
Unveil The Alcohol Balance
Decode Sweetness
Put Your New Skills To The Test!
PLUS get these BONUSES!
Wine Glossary
Test Your Knowledge
Video FAQs
Meet Your Guide, Sarah Looper
That moment of feeling small and embarrassed is one I've never forgotten, and one I promise you'll never experience with me.
One of my wine “a-ha” moments came at The Culinary Institute of America, where I confidently arrived thinking I knew so much about wine from my New York restaurant experience (insert hair flip and flashing smile!). Reality check: when put in charge of two cellars totaling 40,000 bottles, I quickly realized I knew next to nothing. To help me improve, my boss would send me home with bottles to taste and I would nervously prepare tasting notes, trying to figure out what I was tasting and how to express it, because I had to be ready to discuss them with her. She always ended our sessions with what I figured out was the most important question: "Was the wine delicious?"
Through this journey from uninformed novice to educated enthusiast, I learned that everyone starts somewhere, and that somewhere is often staring at a wine list or standing in a wine store feeling completely overwhelmed or nodding along in conversations while having absolutely no idea what people are talking about.
That's exactly why I created LOOPERSOMM Wine Academy—to give you the clarity and confidence I wish had had sooner.
With 18 years of wine teaching experience, my WSET Diploma, and as a Certified Wine Educator and Master Sommelier candidate, I've developed an approach that strips away pretension and focuses on what matters. Whether you're simply wine-curious or intimidated by the terminology, I promise you won't find any eye-rolling here. Because the most important lesson I've learned about wine isn't about prestige or technical perfection. It's answering one simple question that my mentor always emphasized: "Is it delicious to YOU?”
What Our Students Are Sipping & Saying
Gail M.
Hillary M
A Lifetime of Confident Wine Enjoyment—For Less Than a Night Out
Refund requests will be considered provided that 1) No more than 10% of the course or class has been viewed and 2) Refund request is received within 24 hours of enrollment.
Everything you need to speak wine with confidence—without any confusion or intimidation.
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The Complete Vino Vocab Experience -
Detailed Written Instructions on What to Buy & How to Prepare for Class -
How to Set Up Video -
Note Catcher with Slides from Class -
Wine Glossary -
Easy Wine Quiz to Gel What You Just Learned -
FAQs Video
What you'll walk away with after just 60 minutes...
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Master the structural elements of wine that professionals use to evaluate every bottle, allowing you to assess a wine’s framework no matter what the price point or region, recasting you from someone who "just drinks it" to someone who understands it at a more professional level. -
Navigate wine lists with confidence by understanding how to identify balance and by asking the right questions – making you the go-to person for selections at business dinners and dinner parties without breaking a sweat. -
Discover the surprising truth about how we actually smell better with something other than our noses and learn the professional tasting technique that immediately enhances your sensory perception, giving you the scientific knowledge to back up your opinions when discussing wine with even the most dedicated enthusiasts. -
Identify exactly why you like certain wines (and not others) by pinpointing specific structural elements rather than vague impressions, giving you the language to communicate your preferences to wine shop staff who can then recommend great matches. -
Recognize the interplay between the structural elements in any wine you taste, allowing you to confidently experiment and select food pairings that elevate both the meal and the wine rather than clashing or falling flat. -
Articulate your wine preferences with precision using the exact same framework professionals use, ensuring friends and family can always select bottles for you that you'll love as gifts and for special occasions. -
Transform from passive wine drinker to confident enthusiast by applying a simple but powerful assessment framework to every glass – making you feel at home in any wine conversation, shop, or tasting room you enter. -
Develop your own personalized wine-buying strategy based on understanding what creates a balanced wine by connecting sensory experiences with technical understanding, helping you build your own cellar and enhance how you perceive and enjoy wine for the rest of your life.
You May Be Wondering...
How long will this course take to complete?
Vino Vocab is designed as a focused one-hour class that delivers immediate results. The actual class session lasts just under 60 minutes, and you'll see a transformation in your wine understanding by the end of that hour. The beauty of this approach is that you'll start applying your new knowledge with the very next glass of wine you enjoy!
For setup, we recommend setting aside 45-60 minutes before class to prepare your tasting materials without rushing, though the actual preparation only takes about 30 minutes. Good news: you can set up your wines 2-3 hours in advance if that fits your schedule better—the samples will be perfectly fine in the glasses until class starts. Total time investment: about 2.5 hours with lifetime benefits to your wine enjoyment!
How long do I have access to the course materials?
You'll have access to the Vino Vocab class recording for 2 weeks after your initial session. This gives you plenty of time to review any concepts you want to reinforce. Your bonus Wine Glossary is yours to keep, providing ongoing support for your wine journey.
I'm not very technical - will I be able to access the online class easily?
Absolutely! We use a simple, user-friendly platform that works on any device with internet access. If you can click a link and turn on your sound, you're all set!
Do I need any wine experience before taking this class?
None whatsoever! Vino Vocab is specifically designed for people who enjoy wine but don't have formal training. Whether you're an absolute beginner or someone who's tried to learn about wine before but found it confusing, this class meets you exactly where you are. In fact, sometimes less experience is better – you won't have to unlearn any wine snobbery!
What supplies do I need for this online class?
We've made this super simple. Once enrolled, you'll receive a preparation email with an easy shopping list. You might have some or all of the items on the list, so cross check your kitchen and pantry. Allow a budget of up to roughly $15 if you need to buy all the supplies. You’ll also need an inexpensive bottle of Pinot Grigio for the class itself plus two additional bottles of wine for the ‘Put Your Skills to the Test’ section of class, which you might already have on hand. More information about those bottles will be in your preparation email.
How soon will I get results from this class?
Immediately! The Vino Vocab method creates “a-ha!" moments during the actual class session. By using our tasting method that isolates each structural element, you'll experience the difference between what you're tasting now versus what you were missing before. Students consistently report feeling more confident selecting wine the very same day after class.
What if I really don’t ‘get’ it?
If you're still not feeling confident after using these resources for 2 weeks, you can request a 15-minute one-on-one call with Sarah. Sarah is committed to your success and understanding
I'm worried I won't be able to taste the differences in the wines. Will this still work for me?
This is a common concern, and precisely why Sarah designed the method the way she did. By using samples that deliberately amplify each structural element, the differences become unmistakable - even for complete beginners. This approach is specifically designed to make these elements obvious, not subtle. You’ll be able to taste the difference, and Sarah will guide you every step of the way.
Is there any benefit to taking this class if I rarely drink wine?
Absolutely! Many students take Vino Vocab to feel more confident in business or social situations where wine knowledge is valuable, even if they drink wine infrequently. The structural framework you'll learn applies to many beverages and foods beyond wine. Plus, understanding these concepts helps you navigate restaurant wine lists, wine stores, dinner parties, and client meetings with confidence, regardless of how often you personally enjoy wine.
How do I get help if I have questions?
Getting help is easy! You can ask questions via email to our support team. Sarah personally reviews all course-related questions to ensure you get expert answers. You're never alone in your wine journey.
Transform Your Wine Experience in Just One Hour
